Side-to-side truck cover system

ABSTRACT

An arm assembly for a cover of a truck comprises a base, an intermediate segment, and an extension. The base is pivotably connected to the truck proximate a top of a cab of the truck. The intermediate segment is pivotably connected to the base, and the extension is connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the intermediate segment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to covers for truck beds, and moreparticularly to a side-to-side truck cover system.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Many trucks, particularly those hauling loose loads such as sandand gravel, need a truck cover to prevent the wind from blowing loadparticles off the load bed. Various apparatus have been devised forcovering a truck load. Some such apparatus include a motor forselectively winding a flexible cover. An effective truck cover should beone which is easily operated by the truck driver so as to selectivelycover and uncover the truck bed from the convenient location of thetruck cab. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,955, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference, provides a truck cover which may beconveniently motor operated from the cab of a truck to extend the coverfrom a winding assembly proximate the front of the truck bed and forwardthe rear of the truck bed.

[0003] A need also exists for systems that cover the truck bed from sideto side. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,228 shows a cover for truckbed and cargo. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,758 shows a roll assistmechanism for tarp systems. My U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,449, the disclosureof which is also hereby incorporated by reference, shows a side-to-sidetruck cover system including a pair of arms, each of which includes abase and an extension.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is an arm assembly for a cover of a truck.The arm assembly comprises a base, an intermediate segment, and anextension. The base is pivotably connected proximate a top of a cab ofthe truck, and the intermediate segment is pivotably connected to thebase. The extension is connected to the cover and pivotably connected tothe intermediate segment.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide anassembly of the type described above which covers the bed of a truckfrom side to side.

[0006] Another object of this invention is to provide an assembly of thetype described above which provides selective, powered control overcovering and uncovering the load bed.

[0007] Still another object of this invention is to provide an assemblyof the type described above which can be mounted proximate the top ofthe truck cab.

[0008] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention are readily apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck including an apparatusaccording to the present invention for covering a bed of the truck;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front view of the truck shown in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front view of the truck showing a cover in a partiallydeployed position;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a front view of the truck showing the cover in a morefully deployed position; and

[0013]FIG. 5 is a front view of the truck showing the cover in adeployed position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention will be described. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an arm assembly10 according to the present invention for a flexible tarp or cover 12 ofa truck. The arm assembly 10 comprises a base 14, an intermediatesegment 16 and an extension 18. The base 14 is mounted to the truck at abase plate 20 proximate a top of a cab 22 of the truck. While the baseplate 20 is shown in the drawings above the top of the cab 22, it shouldbe appreciated that the base plate may also mounted below the top of thecab 22 in the space between the cab and the trailer.

[0015] The base plate 20 includes at least one spiral torsion spring.Preferably, one end of each of the springs engages a groove formed inthe surface of and extending a substantial portion of the length of acenter shaft, while the other ends of the springs cooperate with alocator pin. Further details of this arrangement are taught by U.S. Pat.No. 5,887,937, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In this way,the base 14 is normally biased clockwise as shown across at least aportion of a front 24 of the truck bed through intermediate positionsshown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. A stop 26 is welded or otherwise attached tothe front 24 of the truck bed, and limits the pivotal movement of thebase 14.

[0016] The intermediate segment 16 is pivotally connected at one of itsends to the base 14 by a hinge or knuckle 28. Preferably, a knuckleshaft is welded or otherwise fixed to one of a pair of plates extendingfrom an upper end of the base 14. The knuckle shaft extends through thelower end of the intermediate segment 16 such that the knuckle shaft isrotatable with respect to the intermediate segment. One end of each of aplurality of spiral torsion springs preferably engages an axial grooveformed in the knuckle shaft. The other ends of the springs cooperatewith a knuckle locator pin. Further details of this arrangement aretaught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,374, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

[0017] The extension 18 is similarly connected at one of its ends to theintermediate segment 16. In this way, the intermediate segment 16 andthe extension 18 are normally biased clockwise as shown. Rotation of theintermediate segment 16 in both directions may be limited by one or morestops which are preferably in the form of plates 29. The plates 29 arewelded or otherwise attached to the knuckle 28, and extend inwardlytherefrom to engage the intermediate segment and prevent overrotation.The knuckle between the intermediate segment 16 and the extension 18 maybe provided with similar stops to limit rotation of the extension, ifnecessary.

[0018] A motor 30 is mounted on the distal end of the extension 18. Arotatable reel 32 extends from the motor 30, and is operativelyconnected to one end of the cover 12 so as to function as a take-upspool. The other end of the cover 12 is clamped, riveted, or otherwisefixed at one or more points along a line below the top of one side 34 ofthe truck. In the fully uncovered position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thecover 12 is wound on the reel 32. In this position, the truck bed maydump rearwardly or in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directionwithout interference from the retracted cover. An elastic cord 35 isalso preferably provided proximate the rear of the truck for biasing thereel toward the right side of the truck.

[0019] The motor 30 is preferably provided with a brake which allows,among other things, for the apparatus to remain in the uncoveredposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the brake is released, the base 14swings toward the right side 36 of the truck bed until it engages thestop 26, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. As the base 14 is biased towardthe right side 36 of the truck, the knuckle springs also bias theintermediate segment 16 and the extension 18 toward the right side ofthe truck so as to hold the cover 12 in tension. The motor 30 may bepowered, from within or without the cab of the truck, to facilitate thisoperation. Further details of one embodiment of the motor are taught byU.S. Pat. No. 5,829,819, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0020] In this way, the cover 12 is pulled off of the reel 32 andextended over the load bed. One or more hooks may be provided toestablish a positive stop to engage the reel 32 and preventoverextension, or additional stops can be provided for the varioussections of the arm assembly. In this event, the motor 30 can bereversed to drive the reel 32 and retract the cover 12 against thetension force of the springs to uncover the load bed. As an alternativeto the hooks, the reel 32 can be tucked below a lip on the top of theright side 36 of the truck, when such a lip is available.

[0021] Any rotation of the base 14 less than about 250 degrees iscontemplated, and in a preferred embodiment the base sweeps out an arcof about 120 degrees. Rotation of the intermediate segment 16 relativeto the base 14 is normally in the range of about 185 degrees. Anyrotation of the extension 18 relative to the intermediate segment 16 isalso contemplated, and in a preferred embodiment the extension rotates atotal of about 250 degrees. By varying the position of the locator pins,the preload of the springs, the number of springs and/or the springconstant of the springs, the forces biasing the base, the intermediatesegment, and the extension toward the deployed position are variable. Ina preferred embodiment, six springs are used to bias the base 14, twosprings are used between the base and the intermediate segment 16, andone or two springs are used in the knuckle between the intermediatesegment and the extension 18. In this arrangement the knuckle betweenthe extension 18 and the intermediate segment 16 opens quickly, thusaccommodating the weight of the motor 30 and allowing the motor to swingfrom either its fully covered or uncovered place and clear therespective top edge of the side of the truck.

[0022] It should be understood that while the forms of the inventionshown and described above constitute preferred embodiments of theinvention, they are not intended to illustrate all possible formsthereof. It should also be understood that the words used are words ofdescription rather than limitation, and various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arm assembly for a cover of a truck, the truck having a cab, the assembly comprising: a base pivotably connected to the truck proximate a top of the cab; an intermediate segment pivotably connected to the base; an extension connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the intermediate segment.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a motor mounted on the extension.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first stop fixed to a bed of the truck.
 4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the base engages the first stop to prevent further pivoting of the base.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second stop extending from the base.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the second stop limits rotation of the intermediate segment.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a reel connected to the extension.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the cover is adapted to be wound on the reel.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base is biased toward a retracted position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intermediate segment is biased toward a retracted position.
 11. An apparatus for extending and retracting a cover over a bed of a truck, the apparatus comprising: a base pivotably connected to the truck proximate a top of the cab; an intermediate segment pivotably connected to the base; an extension pivotably connected to the intermediate segment; a reel connected to the extension; and a motor mounted on the extension and drivingly engaged with the reel to selectively extend and retract the cover over the truck bed.
 12. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a first stop fixed to a front of the bed of the truck.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the base engages the first stop to prevent further pivoting of the base.
 14. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a second stop extending from the base.
 15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the second stop limits rotation of the intermediate segment.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the base is biased toward a retracted position.
 17. An apparatus for extending and retracting a cover over a bed of a truck, the apparatus comprising: a stop fixed to a front of the bed of the truck; a base connected to the truck proximate a top of the cab and pivotable across the front of the bed of the truck until the base contacts the stop; an intermediate segment pivotably connected to the base; an extension pivotably connected to the intermediate segment; a reel connected to the extension; and a motor mounted on the extension and drivingly engaged with the reel to selectively extend and retract the cover over the truck bed.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 further comprising a plate extending from the base.
 19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the plate limits rotation of the intermediate segment.
 20. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the base is biased toward a retracted position. 